Miles David, who served as the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) President and CEO from 1966 to 1983, has died.
David oversaw many initiatives that elevated radio’s profile with advertisers. Additionally, he also helped organize the annual RAB/ANA conference that became an industry staple during his long tenure leading the organization.
“We were saddened to hear about the passing of Miles David, RAB’s President and CEO for 17 years from 1966 through 1983,” said current President and CEO Mike Hulvey. “To this day, we honor and remember Miles’ tenure at RAB as numerous initiatives and efforts that he led and innovated continue to be some of RAB’s hallmark products and services such as Radio Sales Today, research Instant Backgrounds, sales training, and the introduction of RAB’s sales and management conferences. He led a wonderful life of service and leadership and I personally thank him and am privileged to continue his legacy at RAB.”
“Miles David was my first boss after graduating from college in 1976 and I had no idea how lucky I was to get to work for such an extraordinary man. He was brilliant and innovative but also kindhearted with a great sense of humor,” added Saralee Hymen Rosenberg. “As President of RAB, he was responsible for groundbreaking ad campaigns to elevate radio’s stature among advertisers and agencies, using the comedic talents of Stiller and Meara, Bob and Ray and Dick Orkin and Bert Berdis among other personalities to promote radio’s intimate relationships with listeners.
“He also helped develop the successful Radio is Red Hot campaign which distributed an iconic red transistor radio to executives to keep radio front of mind when deciding on advertising strategies. Among other achievements was organizing the highly anticipated RAB/ANA annual conference in New York, offering educational workshops for ad sales reps in local markets and generating millions in co-op advertising dollars for the industry,” she continued.
Upon learning of his passing, former RAB staffers commented that “they too remember Miles with great fondness and respect. He fostered talent, valued other opinions and would always give credit where credit was due. His legacy lives on in RAB’s continued success serving the ad community for decades.”
